Lol, please do, and could you take pictures of the looks on the faces of the parishioners? Seriously though, I dunno, I can't see anything wrong with it, though you might get some dirty looks. Maybe giving a heads up to the priest and/or deacon first would be good?

I'll pass you some calamine lotion after you take it off - the burlap will certainly itch!

Seriously, though - my main concern would be whether it would be disruptive for someone else . . .or a stumbling block to them in some way. It certainly would bend a few necks. So, looking at your motives - which I have no idea what they are - but it's totally not necessary for me to know - are your motives selfless? Are they loving? Are they humble? Is this necessary? Are you doing it for the pure sake of Christ? Are your motives honest?

Though you might be mistaken for Francis of Assisi and then the Priest will have to get someone to shovel up all the manure from the animals you seem to collect. THAT might not make him very happy.

Seriously, though - my main concern would be whether it would be disruptive for someone else . . .or a stumbling block to them in some way. It certainly would bend a few necks. So, looking at your motives - which I have no idea what they are - but it's totally not necessary for me to know - are your motives selfless? Are they loving? Are they humble? Is this necessary? Are you doing it for the pure sake of Christ? Are your motives honest?

Forgive me for prying, but, in my 4+ years of attending many different parishes, in many different states/cities, I have never run into a situation where I had to wear such attire. Like I said, forgive me for prying, but what is your reason for wanting/needing to wear such robes to a Divine Liturgy?

Forgive me for prying, but, in my 4+ years of attending many different parishes, in many different states/cities, I have never run into a situation where I had to wear such attire. Like I said, forgive me for prying, but what is your reason for wanting/needing to wear such robes to a Divine Liturgy?

Maybe he's going to a Star Wars convention right after liturgy, and if his date--who is an uber-geeky star wars chick--sees him in clothes more typical of Church she'll think he's a spirituality-geek, dump him, and his whole life will be ruined forever and ever.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Who can watch the watchmen?"No one is paying attention to your post reports"Why do posters that claim to have me blocked keep sending me pms and responding to my posts? That makes no sense.

Are you a Roman Catholic mendicant/friar? If not, then no, you may not wear such a robe!

It is extremely inappropriate to falsely wear the garb of religious office you do not hold, especially in a liturgical context. Stranger still to pretend to hold a heterodox office!

This is one of the people I warned you about who would give you dirty looks

Yet, I do agree with his objection, although I may have phrased it a bit more gently. Seriously, though I think the OP may be driving at a deeper question--how to efface oneself and not stand out. Of course, if he were to use such a robe, he would certainly stand out. If that is indeed his query, my answer would be to cloth himself in the manner of most folks in his parish.

If as a layperson you wear a robe like that people will think you're a total weirdo, and rightly so. I'd think you were one too.

Never mind the fact that the priest might actually think you are mocking his robes by wearing this kind of costume. Keep in mind that Orthodoxy is not a neat roleplaying game where you get to "play" at medieval monastic life. It is a living ancient tradition, and most if not all people would see this as disrespecting that fact.

Try to blend in. The whole point of going to church is to pray, not to create a circus where everyone around you is staring at you the whole time.

One of my books on a Fool for Christ, "Seraphim's Seraphim", talks about how she would drown cats in her free time. Sometimes people are really just crazy!

Well, I would agree with that. I don't know, I just wouldn't find it offensive if he did it. I'd actually laugh and find it quite funny, and I would be much more likely to strike up a conversation with him afterwards, thinking he must have an interesting sense of humor. I would think that wearing shorts and sandals to Church was worse (but still not really that bad) than wearing a robe... I know I'm a bit strange though

EDIT--Also, for the record, I generally support the idea of "blending in," and "When in Rome, doing what the Romans do," as far as what dress is appropriate... I just think it'd be an overreaction to get offended...

Kinda like a story I heard once about St. John Maximovitch. His superior once ordered him to wear shoes, since he had a reputation for doing almost everything, including celebrating Liturgy, barefoot. St. John wore his shoes, all right... hanging by their laces around his neck. "You told me to wear shoes. You just didn't tell me where to wear them."

I was thinking that maybe Achronos was trying to hide an imperfection of some kind - peg leg, etc.

However, I am now thinking that he wishes to attend services incognito. A chance to go and pray, an not be recognized while doing it. For example, if a celebrity or politician wished to go to church, and not necessarily be associated with that church in public.

You know...some politicians wish to remain "neutral", and their religious affiliation may be held against them.

So, in that case...what's a person to do?

Maybe attend services in the middle of the week when fewer people are in attendance?Maybe just swallow the pill and be proud of your faith, come what may.

I would pick the second.

I am Orthodox, and while it's not the most "popular" thing to be, and sometimes even makes our work/school/social life difficult, I don't care. It's the most important thing in my life.

Logged

Conquer evil men by your gentle kindness, and make zealous men wonder at your goodness. Put the lover of legality to shame by your compassion. With the afflicted be afflicted in mind. Love all men, but keep distant from all men.—St. Isaac of Syria

However, I would counsel against bringing cardboard swords or coat-hanger bows to church. They might be a distraction. Plus, they will severely impede your dating prospects (provided that you can find a potential mate who likes the idea of a spouse who wears a cowl to church).

I considered making a cloak, but then reconsidered it because I live in a city and drive everywhere I go. Cloaks and cars do not go well together.

One of my books on a Fool for Christ, "Seraphim's Seraphim", talks about how she would drown cats in her free time. Sometimes people are really just crazy!

Woah. I'm assuming she did this before she entered monasticism?

This is Pelagia and I can't remember if she became an actual nun or not but I do remember being terribly distressed by the story - apparently she once drowned a litter of kittens. Just once as I recall, drowning cats wasn't a hobby, but still I can't say she's on my favourites list.

One of my books on a Fool for Christ, "Seraphim's Seraphim", talks about how she would drown cats in her free time. Sometimes people are really just crazy!

Woah. I'm assuming she did this before she entered monasticism?

This is Pelagia and I can't remember if she became an actual nun or not but I do remember being terribly distressed by the story - apparently she once drowned a litter of kittens. Just once as I recall, drowning cats wasn't a hobby, but still I can't say she's on my favourites list.